Penn State football in 2013: Offensive line depth chart projections

What will the Penn State football team look like on the field next season? Who will be in
the lineup when PSU takes the field against Syracuse at the Meadowlands
on Aug. 31? A sneak peek at the offensive line positions,
with some best-guesses - and assuming no one transfers:

The skinny: Smith
(6-5, 316) has the left side locked down after a successful albeit
injury plagued 2012 season. Gress' (6-6, 311) playing time diminished as
2012 progressed but he's the favorite on the right side to replace
Farrell, who beat him out for the job. Cadogan has been around a long
time and played sparingly, and he'll be the top backup on both sides,
most likely. Shrive (6-6, 305), a guard entering his fifth season, could
move to tackle in a pinch and is listed at both spots. No one else has
pierced the depth chart in their career. Alosi (6-4, 287) and Blanchard,
a towering (6-7, 311) former walk-on, are entering their third year at
PSU. Alosi could figure at DT or at G. Nelson (6-5, 270) has good feet
but like almost all true freshman needs time in weight room.

Check back every weekday from Nov. 28 to Dec. 6 at 1 p.m. for the latest installment of Penn State 2013 depth chart analysis.

Guard

1. John Urschel (Sr.)

1. Miles Dieffenbach (Jr.)

2. Ty Howle (Sr.)

2. Eric Shrive (Sr.)

3. Angelo Mangiro (So.)

3. Anthony Stanko (Rs Fr.)

4. Brendan Mahon (true Fr.)

reserves Mark Arcidiacono and Frank Figueroa graduated

The skinny: Urschel
(6-3, 307) and Dieffenbach (6-3, 300) had successful first seasons as
starters, with Urschel recognized as All-Big Ten. Howle (6-0, 298), who
also is listed below at center, could challenge Dieffenbach for the
starting LG position. Shrive played occasionally in 2012 and should be a
competent backup. Mangiro will push for time here and at center and is
likely to start somewhere. Stanko (6-4, 307) and Mahon could be the
starting guards in 2015. Arcidiacono, who was praised by O'Brien and
competing for a starting position last spring before injuries wiped out
his 2012 season, apparently will forego his final season of eligibility,
as will Figueroa, who never threatened to play. Mahon (6-4, 318) has
college-level size.

Check back every weekday from Nov. 28 to Dec. 6 at 1 p.m. for the latest installment of Penn State 2013 depth chart analysis.

Center

1. Angelo Mangiro (So.)

2. Ty Howle (Sr.)

3. Miles Dieffenbach (Jr.)

4. Wendy Laurent (Rs Fr.)

starter Matt Stankiewitch graduated

The skinny: There
appear to be multiple promising options here to replace All-Big Ten
center Stankiewitch, with Howle, Mangiro (6-3, 291) and possibly
Dieffenbach leading the way, and maybe even standout guard Urschel. The
guess here is Mangiro. Since he is a sophomore in 2013, PSU could have
two more years of continuity at center after that, and it would free up
veteran Howle to be the supersub across the middle three OL positions,
as well as holding down long snapper duties. But its just a guess at
this point. Laurent was an unheralded recruit but O'Brien has praised
him. There are numerous possibilities at center and guard for next fall,
and expect OL coach Mac McWhorter to experiment with a few of them in
the spring.